METAL THEFTS DROP
Date Published: 08/07/2012
Metal theft is a hot topic in Northern BCU - and the force-wide campaign is reaping results with a 44% drop in crime in the Rhondda Cynon Taff (RCT) area since March.
RCT Council and the force have launched a hard-hitting film about the potentially lethal consequences of this crime.
Stealing copper wires can prove fatal to the thief and put the public in danger because of the careless way the theft is often handled. Theft of street lighting cables often leaves live wires dangling over public roads, and the theft of drain covers exposes potentially lethal gaping holes in pavements and road surfaces.
RCT Council has set up a dedicated team working closely with our force and British Transport Police.
Four schools in the County Borough were flooded and closed after boilers were removed and lead flashing stolen. Also, sports fixtures had to be cancelled as over £15,000 worth of damage was caused.
RCT Council has already informed local scrap dealers if any metal(s) from Council property is found in their possession, police will be contacted and they will face a fine, a criminal record and potentially prison.
RCT Council is also putting plans in place to introduce a cashless payments system at scrap dealers so that metal can no longer be sold anonymously.